Clipboard for spine bound pages

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a clipboard having a support back with a clip at the top of the support back where a center and forward cut away or recessed portion of the clip is removed leaving two extension legs that are adapted to hold down at least the outside covers of a number of spine bound pages. The invention provides a user with the capability of holding open and supporting on the support back the collection of spine bound pages while making it very easy for the user to turn the pages of the spine bound pages back and forth to view the contents thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clipboards adapted to hold spine boundpages such as those commonly seen in magazines, books and brochures.

Clipboards are exceedingly useful articles. They hold papers, documentsand sometimes books and magazines. Spine bound materials are usefularticles, too. They allow a user to turn pages at will to a desired pairof pages. Clipboards and book holders have in past required the user tochoose a pair of pages that will be locked down for review.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,952,989, 5,067,682 and 5,797,578 show devices that arecapable of holding books or magazines by using an rearward inclinedplane and a bottom edge ledge to form a back support for a book, incombination with mechanisms at that bottom edge for holding the pagesopen. The rather obvious disadvantage of these devices is that text orgraphics is blocked and obscured on the page where the hold downmechanism contacts the page.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,129 shows a book holder that uses side wire bails onright and left sides of the inclined plane that does not necessarilyobscure the pages. However, turning a page requires release of a pagefrom on wire bail, turning the page to the other side, lifting the otherwire bail and tucking the page under that other wire bail.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,623 shows that a bottom edge flange can rotate aboutthe bottom edge up to the bottom of pages of a spine bound set of pages,although the problem of obscuring and the necessity of lifting pagesecuring means, turning a page and resetting the page securing meansremains a problem with this and other prior art devices.

There is a need for a device that allows the user to secure spine boundpages to an inclined plane but that will allow the user to be free ofthe release securing means and reset securing means steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a clipboard having a support back with aclip at the top of the support back where a center and forward cut awayor recessed portion of the clip is removed leaving two extension legsthat are adapted to hold down at least the outside covers of a number ofspine bound pages. The invention provides a user with the capability ofholding open and supporting on the support back the collection of spinebound pages while making it very easy for the user to turn the pages ofthe spine bound pages back and forth to view the contents thereon.

The present invention also comprises a support lip at the bottom edge ofthe support back so that a bottom edge of the spine bound pages rest onthat lip, especially the bottom end of the spine of the spine boundpages. In a preferred embodiment, a top end of the spine of the spinebound pages is located close to and almost underneath or slightlyunderneath an uppermost edge of the cut away portion of the clip and thebottom end is located on the support lip. The overall structural effectof the clipping action of the legs and bracing of the spine endsprovides a surprisingly effective means for page turning about the axisof the spine. The primary invention effect is enhanced by providingsliding means among a back part of the clip and the support back so thatthe clip is capable of being secured in more than one position along theline intended for location of the spine of the spine bound pages. Movingthe clip up or down along that line permits the user to more closelyeffect the preferred structure of the relationship between the supportlip and the invention clip.

The present invention also comprises means for support of the supportback at an acute angle to a tabletop or horizontal surface so that theuser of the support back may more easily view the contents of the pagesof the spine bound pages. The support back has attached to it by a hingestructure to a support frame adapted to make the entire structure freestanding. The hinge structure is located at the top of the support backon its back side so that the support frame may rotate from a positionflat against the support back to a position at an acute angle away fromthe support back, thereby allowing the user to rest the bottom edge ofthe support back and a bottom edge of the support frame on a tabletop orgenerally horizontal surface. Any papers or pages clipped to the frontside of the support back may then be viewed by the user at the moreconvenient angle. In a preferred embodiment, the support frame isrelatively narrow and is adapted to, in a latched position, lie near theedges of the support back, where the support frame is formed with an L.shaped cross-section. For the support frame, one edge of the L. shapedcross-section is intended to lie flat or close to the back side of thesupport back, that leg of the L. shaped cross-section lining closest tothe edge of the support back. The other leg of the L. shapedcross-section extends toward the center portion of the back of thesupport back, thereby forming an center directed overhang held up with aperipheral wall. A substantial opening is defined by the support framein a latched position against the support back, whereupon is attached byVelcro or other appropriate means a flexible sheet in a manner adaptedto contain sheets of paper which the user may desire to store on theback side of the support back instead of under the clip of theclipboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generalized view normal to a top piece of the invention clipholding in place spine bound pages.

FIG. 2 is a side view of three components of an invention clip, the toppiece, a bottom piece and spring means.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the components of FIG. 2 in an assembled clip.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a clip similar to that of FIG. 3, howeverhaving a reduced radius of rotation as to the top piece and the bottompiece.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a clip similar to that of FIG. 3, howeverhaving a modified contact leg.

FIG. 6 is a side view of clip similar to that the FIG. 3, however havinga thumb depressing flange replaced by means to lift the clip.

FIG. 7 is a side you of the clip similar to that the FIG. 3, howeverhaving a thumb depressing flange non planar with the contact legs.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 of a clipboard according tothe invention with a support back about the size of a standardclipboard.

FIG. 9 is the view of and the device of FIG. 8 retaining spine boundpages in a manner that permits some free pages to be turned from side toside.

FIG. 10 is the cross-section AA of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is the device of FIG. 8 and the view of FIG. 8 incorporatingsliding means for the invention clip.

FIG. 12 this section BB of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is section CC of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a cut away view of the device of FIG. 11 showing the bottompiece of the clip in relation to slots on the support back.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the bottom piece of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the bottom piece of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the bottom piece of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 shows the back side of a support back with a hinged supportframe defining opening through to the support back where on is located ameans for retaining sheets of paper for storage.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the device of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the device of FIG. 19 in an opened positionadapted to be rested on a tabletop or horizontal surface.

FIG. 21 is the cross-section DD of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is cross-section EE of FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is cross-section FF of FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 is the device of FIG. 18 showing a flexible sheet of the meansfor retaining sheets of paper flexed outward for receiving a sheet ofpaper.

FIG. 25 is the FIG. 18 showing the flexible sheet of the means forretaining sheets of paper by attachment of the flexible sheet to theback side of the support back thereby retaining one or more sheets ofpaper within those means.

FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 are respectively cross sections CC, BB andmanipulated BB for an alternate embodiment of the slidable assembly ofthe invention.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are respectively bottom and top views of a top surfaceplate for the embodiment of FIGS. 26-28.

FIG. 31 is either a top or bottom view of a bottom surface plate for theembodiment of FIGS. 26-28.

FIGS. 32 and 33 are respectively front and side views of a backside of aclipboard for an alternate embodiment of the device of FIG. 18-23,without the hinged legs.

FIGS. 33-40 are respectively front, section GG, rear, section KK, detailJ, detail 1, section HH, and detail J views of the hinged legs for theembodiment of FIGS. 32 and 33.

FIG. 41 shows the clipboard of FIGS. 32 and 33 and the hinged legs ofFIGS. 33-40 engaged and moved apart to rest at their lowest edges on asubstantially horizontal surface.

FIG. 42 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 32.

FIGS. 43 and 44 respectively show the clipboard of FIGS. 32 and 33attached in a closed position with the hinged legs of FIGS. 33 and 34 inbroken lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is now discussed with reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 shows the invention assembly 100 in a view normal to the angledtop piece of clip 101 so that the plane of support back 102 will be seenat an angle slightly out of the page. Although support back 102 is shownwith extensive broken line dimensions in FIG. 1, a critical function tothe invention clip is to provide opposing surfaces 103 for the contactlegs 105 of clip 101 so that at least the front and back covers of spinebound pages 107, as in FIG. 9, may be captured between them. It will beappreciated that a cutout portion 106 provides the effective departurefrom the prior art with respect to a standard clipboard designfacilitating the invention function of securing the covers and/or one ormore pages adjacent to them.

The invention clip 101 comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, a top piece 109that is attached at and rotates against spring resistance about holes114 held by pins in connection with holes 116 of bottom piece 110.Bottom piece 110 is attached or is molded with support back 102. Springmeans 118 in FIG. 2 is shown apart from pieces 109 and 110 and typicallycomprises a leaf spring, wound wire spring or other such prior artspring means for clipboards. Top piece 109 comprises a thumb depressionportion 112, two rotation extensions 113 having axis holes 114, and legssection 111. Bottom piece 110 comprises to rotation extensions 116having axis holes 117, and a support back attachment portion 115. FIG. 3shows the assembled top piece 109, bottom piece 110, and spring means118 attached to support back 102 having a support lip 108 for a spineend of spine bound pages. The device of FIG. 3 shows a preferredembodiment of the invention clip with a maximum height arising from thecan attachment of the top piece to the bottom piece at holes 114 and117. The device of FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment to that shown inFIG. 3 where the rotation extensions of the top piece and the bottompiece are shorter than those shown in FIG. 3 resulting in a path of theclip of FIG. 4 being capable of restraining fewer pages than the deviceof FIG. 3. The device of FIG. 5 is substantially fat shown in FIG. 3although the legs portion 111 is modified at the legs 105 so that theplane of legs portion 111 is dog laid down at portion 119 and extends ata different angle through portion 120, whereby the bottom surface 121 ofportion 120 is adapted to press substantially flatter against spinebound pages 107 than the legs 105 of the device of FIG. 3. The device ofFIG. 6 comprises an invention clip with no some depressing section 112,it's lifting function replaced by a finger clip 123 on legs portion 111.The device of FIG. 7 is substantially that shown in FIG. 3 although thesome depressing section 112 is that a substantially different angle bandthat of the plane of the legs portion 124. The several embodiments ofthe invention clip shown in FIGS. 2 through 7 demonstrate that theobjects of the invention in effectively restraining the pages of spinebound pages 107 may be accomplished with one of several forms of theinvention clip.

FIG. 8 shows a support back 102 having the approximate size of astandard prior art clipboard adapted to hold papers about 8½ inches byabout 11 inches, where the invention clip 101 is shown in FIG. 8 withits top piece plane parallel to the surface of the page. Top piece 109,as described above, in FIG. 8 comprises a cut out portion having a cutout height of 106/a and a width of 106/b. In a preferred embodiment,height 106/a is from about ¼ of an inch to about four inches, so thatthe top of the spine of spine bound pages 107 as in FIG. 9 is locatedpreferably near the top of height 106/a. Width 106/b is preferablybetween about 1 inch and about 6-7 inches, although a more preferablewith 106/b is between about 2 to 4 inches. FIG. 9 shows spine boundpages 107 located in the device of FIG. 8 so that retained pages 126 arecaptured between legs 105 and the top surface of support back 102, wherethe bottom of the spine of spine bound pages rests supportively againstsupport lip 108. Free pages 125 rotate freely about the spine of spinebound pages 107 in FIG. 8 separated from retained pages 126 by legs 105,whereby free pages 125 are capable of lying substantially entirelytoward the plane of one set of retained pages 126 or the other withoutbeing urged upward due to the restraint of pages 126. FIG. 10 showscross section M of FIG. 9 such that free pages 125 may be liftedsomewhat above retained pages 126 by the effect of those three pages 125rising above legs 105 of invention clip 101.

The invention further comprises adaptation of the bottom piece of theinvention clip and the support back so that the entire invention clip ismovable up and down the length of the support back, where the inventionclip is capable of being secured at one or more positions in that up ordown track for the invention clip. This clip moving embodiment permitsto the use of the invention clip with spine bound pages having widelyvarying spine lengths. A set of spine bound pages having a short spinemay be effectively engaged with the invention clip and supported by thesupport lip upon a much longer support back by placing the bottom end ofthe spine of the spine bound pages against the support lip and movingdownward for effective page retention function the invention clip untilthe top part of height 106/a is about at the top of the spine of thespine bound pages. It is intended that the embodiments of FIGS. 11through 13 achieve the objects of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 through10, the although it is clear that the invention shown in FIG. 11 ismovable up and down with respect to slots 133 on support back 102. FIG.11 shows clip 101/a path in a top or upper most position while clip101/b is in a lower most position for a shortest spine length for a setof spine bound pages. The means for sliding and retaining in positionthe invention clip in positions at and between clips 101/a and 101/b asshown in FIG. 11 comprise to sliding slots 133 and a notch portion 128on support back 102, while the bottom piece 110 is adapted to have forextensions 130 adapted to retain bottom piece 110 against the frontsurface of support back 102 by secure engagement of extensions 130 inslots 133 and where bottom piece 110 is further adapted to have a notchportion 134 adapted to slidably engage notch portion 128 on support back102. If FIGS. 12 and 13 respectively show cross sections BB and CC sothat positions 101/a and 101/b may be appreciated from inside viewwhereby the upper most portion of height 106/a may be appreciated asbeing movable from the upper most to lower most positions relative tosupport back 102. Thus the embodiments of FIGS. 11 through 13 permit alongest length 131 for a set of spine bound pages or a shortest length132 for a set of spine bound pages or any length in between to beaccommodated and supported between the invention clip and support lip108, while leaving free pages turnable without being urged unduly in adirection undesired for the user.

FIGS. 14 through 17 show the bottom piece 110 of clip embodiment ofFIGS. 11-13 apart from the top piece for appreciation of the structureand relative motion of the support back 102 and that bottom piece 110.FIG. 14 shows the top piece in broken lines. Notch portion 134 is formedin relation to extensions 130 and slots 133 so the forced motion ofportion 134 over 128 will provide a ratcheting securement of theinvention clip in positions 101/a through 101/b. Other means such asremovable pins in through holes may be provided to accomplish thissecuring and movability functions.

FIGS. 18 through 25 show an embodiment of an invention for the backsurface of support back 151. Support back 151 is adapted to have a frame160 hingedly attached to a top end of support back 151. Frame 160 allowsthe user to lift the bottom side 163 away from support back 151 (asshown in FIGS. 22 and 20 respectively) so the user can support thedevice on a substantially horizontal surface like a tabletop. However,frame 160 defines an opening comprising the inside edges of sides161-163 where most of the back surface of support back 151 can beaccessed. The present invention provides for storage of paper or othersheet material as sheets 167 against the back surface of support back151 whereby a removable flexible sheet 164 provides for facial and topand bottom edge restraint for sheets 167 and where lateral restraint forsheets 167 is provided by concave portions of edges 161. The embodimentso formed thus allows the user multiple functions for what is typicallyjust the back side of a clipboard adapted only to lay flat against ahorizontal surface or hung against a vertical surface.

FIG. 18 shows that frame 160 has pieces shown as sides 161, 162 and 163having a substantially inverted L-shape cross section (as seen in FIGS.21 through 23). That shape is adapted to provide means for restrainingthe edges of sheets 167 (as in FIG. 25) facially held below the upperinverted lip of the L-shape sides by flexible sheet 164. The openingdefined by sides 161, 162 and 163 generally allows flexible sheet 164 tolift away from the back side of support back 151 at a top edge 166, asshown in FIGS. 24 and 25, so that sheets 167 can be inserted or removedfrom between flexible sheet 164 and the back side of support back 151 toprovide storage of such sheets when they are not being used by the useror have been removed from clipping attachment to the front side ofsupport back 151. FIG. 18 shows slots 133 and extensions 130 areoperable together for the functions of the device shown in FIG. 11without interfering with the storage of sheets 167 between flexiblesheet 164 and the back side of support back 151.

Flexible sheet 164 comprises top edge Velcro tabs 156 and bottom edgeVelcro tabs 157, whereby tabs 156 permit securable attachment of topedge 166 against the back side of support back 151 and tabs 157 permitsecurable to attachment of bottom edge 167 against the back side ofsupport back 151 to thereby secure flexible sheet 164 to add a positionslightly elevated but substantially parallel to the back side of supportback 151 to permit storage of sheets 167 therein. Tabs 156 and 157comprise mateable pieces, such as 156/a and 156/b, of Velcro to withadhesive backs, where in such backs are adhered to opposing services offlexible sheet 164 and the back side of support back 151.

It is preferred that support back 151 and frame 160 be adapted to bereleaseably latchable against one another with flashing means such asextension 153 from the edge of support back 151, where such extension of153 comprises a lip extension that will engage notch 171 at an opposingedge of frame 160. Flexible sheet 164 has sighed edges 165 the top edge166 and bottom edge 163. The width 172 of flexible sheet 164 is adaptedto be effectively less than width 173 in the opening of frame 160 sothat as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, flexible sheet 164 at its top edge 166may be releaseably drawn away from support back 151 at tabs 156 withouthaving to disturb frame 160 when it is latched against support back 102.Side edges 170 of sheets 167 are restrained from sliding out from undersheet 167 by the concave overhang of sides 161. Top edges 168 of sheets167 are restrained from sliding from under sheet 167 by the concaveoverhang of side 162 and/or tabs 156. Bottom edges 169 of sheets 167 arerestrained from sliding from under sheet 167 by the concave overhang ofside 163 and/or tabs 157.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 23, the hinge attachment of frame 160 tosupport back 151 may be appreciated as comprising a pin extension frompiece 154 into a pin and hole means 155 so that side 162 is adapted torotate about the axis formed by pin and hole means 155. Broken awaysection 168 more clearly shows the pin from extension 154. FIG. 19 showsa broken line section 158 on the front side of support back 151 wherewould be typically located the invention clip and/or a prior art clip.

The with of sides 161 and/or 163 may be increased so that the See with aremovable or hinged door may be located thereover so that articles suchas pens and pencils may be stored in those cavities and secured thereinby closure of the doors were covers.

An alternate embodiment is now described for the slidable assembly asshown FIGS. 11-13. FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 are respectively cross sectionsCC, BB and manipulated BB for an alternate embodiment of the slidableassembly of the invention. It can be appreciated that FIG. 11 showspiece 101 substantially covering the piece to which it is mounted forrotation and spring opposition. In FIGS. 12 and 13, piece 110 is shownhaving an attachment means to board 151 that are flanged extensions thatextend through slots 133. The embodiment of FIGS. 26-28 provides abottom side plate 174 with holes 175 aligned to holes 177 of extension175 from plate 173, thus to permit connection of the plates 173 and 174by screws, rivets of other connection means. This connection improvesthe sliding stability of the slidable assembly, although otherembodiments for such connection are within the invention. A furthermeans for engaging and releasing the slidable assembly from the notches134 are shown in FIGS. 27-30. Plate 173 has at an upper end extensions178 and 179 capable of releasably holding a writing instrument. However,mating notches are provided on the underside of plate 173 to providesecurement means for the slidable assembly only to the extent that theymay be effectively released from securing interface 180 a as in FIG. 27to releasing interface as in FIG. 28 by upward direction 182 fingerpressure. Thus, extension 179 provides for an easily releasable meansfor moving the slidable assembly from one height on the inventionclipboard to another with direction 182 finger pressure.

Now an alternate embodiment of the device of FIG. 18-23 is discussed.FIGS. 32 and 33 are respectively front and side views of a backside of aclipboard for an alternate embodiment of the device of FIG. 18-23,without the hinged legs. It will be appreciated that many of thestructures are equivalent in function to those of FIGS. 18-23. Aclipboard 150 a has a flat plate 151 a with extensions 153 to releasablylatch the hinged legs in a closed position, although the hinge means forthe legs are now extensions 188 with holes therethrough adapted toreceive the prongs 189 shown in FIGS. 33-38. Plate 151 a is adapted tohave holes 186 to permit easy carrying and the overall shape is adaptedto have a pleasing look. Flexible sheet 164 is adapted to have adhesiveattachment means 157 a to the lower portion of plate 151 in a manner thereduces the overall profile of the sheet 164 above the backside of plate151 a, thereby making possible smooth and secure latching of the legs toextension 153 even with papers secured between sheet 164 and thebackside of plate 151 a. Extension 187 is substantially normal to thetop edge of plate 151 a so that the entire assembly lying with the legsin a closed position on a table surface will be substantially parallelwith that surface and permit easy writing on documents on the front sideof plate 151 a.

FIGS. 33-40 are respectively front, section GG, rear, section KK, detailJ, detail 1, section HH, and detail J views of the hinged legs for theembodiment of FIGS. 32 and 33. The hinged legs of this embodiment arefunctionally equivalent to those of previous embodiments, as shown inthe open position assembly of FIG. 141. It can be readily appreciatedfrom FIG. 36 that the concavity forming features of leg sides 161 and163 (side 162 is eliminated in this embodiment, its structure beingfunctionally equivalently replaced with the prongs 189 and extension 188combination) are preserved with the side wall 161 a extending up andinward toward a center portion of plate 151 a when the legs are hingedlyattached to board 150 a. FIG. 41 shows the clipboard of FIGS. 32 and 33and the hinged legs of FIGS. 33-40 engaged and moved apart to rest attheir lowest edges on a substantially horizontal surface. FIG. 42 showsa perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 32 in a manner indicatingthe absence of interference with retained papers under sheet 164 by theup and down motion of plate 174 against the backside of plate 151 a.FIGS. 43 and 44 respectively show the clipboard of FIGS. 32 and 33attached in a closed position with the hinged legs of FIGS. 33 and 34 inbroken lines.

The invention comprises, with reference to the features analogouslydescribed above, a method for using a clipboard for securing and viewingspine bound pages on an inclined plane so that a user will not have torelease a clip means to turn each page comprising:

(a) the spine bound pages comprise multiple pages bound along a commonedge to form a straight spine with an upper spine end and a lower spineend, where the spine bound pages are adapted to lie in a stack when thespine bound pages are in a closed position and may be turned page bypage by a user for viewing each page when a user grasps a free page edgeat a page edge distal to the straight spine and intermediate pages arelocated between a front page and a back page;

(b) a flat, generally rectangular board plate with dimensions less thanor equal to eleven inches wide by fifteen inches long, inclining theboard plate along its length to between about thirty degrees to abouteighty degrees so that an upper surface of the board plate presents aninclined plane;

(c) a lower edge of the board plate comprises a ledge extendinggenerally upward and normal to the inclined plane and adapted to supportthe lower spine end and bottom page edges of pages extending laterallyfrom the bottom edge of spine bound pages so that the spine bound pagescannot slide off of the inclined plane when the spine bound pages areplaced on the inclined plane;

(d) a clip means for securing top edges the front page and back pagenear the spine upper spine end onto the inclined plane leaving at leastmost intermediate pages free to be turned page by page by the user,where clip means are movable with hand motion from a top position nearthe top of the inclined plane to a lowest position about halfway downthe inclined plane and are adapted to be releasably secured at severalintermediate positions between the topmost position and the lowestposition;

(e) clip means further comprise a sliding plate slideably engaged in aslot extending from the top position to the lowest position and apivoting plate is connected by a pivot to the sliding plate, whereby thepivoting plate is urged by a spring so that ends two legs of thepivoting plate extend down from the pivot to press on the inclinedsurface to hold down respectively the first and second pages, where agenerally arcuate cutout is defined by a space the two legs so that theends of the two legs are at least three inches apart;

(f) opening the spine bound pages, laying the first and second pages onthe inclined plane, abutting the lower spine end and bottom page edgesagainst the ledge, moving clip means from the top position toward thetop spine end and elevating and releasing the ends of the legs from thesurface of the inclined plane to capture the first and second pagesrespectively so that a topmost part of the arcuate cutout does not lieabove any page, and a user turns at least most of the intermediate pagesback and forth while the first and second pages are captured beneath theleg ends.

The invention also comprises a structure where the topmost part of thearcuate cutout lies always at least about 2.5 centimeters above thesurface of the inclined plane.

The invention also comprises a structure where leg ends are separated bythe arcuate cutout by at least 5 centimeters.

The above design options will sometimes present the skilled designerwith considerable and wide ranges from which to choose appropriateapparatus and method modifications for the above examples. However, theobjects of the present invention will still be obtained by that skilleddesigner applying such design options in an appropriate manner.

1. A method for using a clipboard for securing and viewing spine boundpages on an inclined plane so that a user will not have to release aclip means to turn each page comprising: (a) the spine bound pagescomprise multiple pages bound along a common edge to form a straightspine with an upper spine end and a lower spine end, where the spinebound pages are adapted to lie in a stack when the spine bound pages arein a closed position and may be turned page by page by a user forviewing each page when a user grasps a free page edge at a page edgedistal to the straight spine and intermediate pages are located betweena front page and a back page; (b) a flat, generally rectangular boardplate with dimensions less than or equal to eleven inches wide byfifteen inches long, inclining the board plate along its length tobetween about thirty degrees to about eighty degrees so that an uppersurface of the board plate presents an inclined plane; (c) a lower edgeof the board plate comprises a ledge extending generally upward andnormal to the inclined plane and adapted to support the lower spine endand bottom page edges of pages extending laterally from the bottom edgeof spine bound pages so that the spine bound pages cannot slide off ofthe inclined plane when the spine bound pages are placed on the inclinedplane; (d) a clip means for securing top edges the front page and backpage near the spine upper spine end onto the inclined plane leaving atleast most intermediate pages free to be turned page by page by theuser, where clip means are movable with hand motion from a top positionnear the top of the inclined plane to a lowest position about halfwaydown the inclined plane and are adapted to be releasably secured atseveral intermediate positions between the topmost position and thelowest position; (e) clip means further comprise a sliding plateslideably engaged in a slot extending from the top position to thelowest position and a pivoting plate is connected by a pivot to thesliding plate, whereby the pivoting plate is urged by a spring so thatends two legs of the pivoting plate extend down from the pivot to presson the inclined surface to hold down respectively the first and secondpages, where a generally arcuate cutout is defined by a space the twolegs so that the ends of the two legs are at least three inches apart;(f) opening the spine bound pages, laying the first and second pages onthe inclined plane, abutting the lower spine end and bottom page edgesagainst the ledge, moving clip means from the top position toward thetop spine end and elevating and releasing the ends of the legs from thesurface of the inclined plane to capture the first and second pagesrespectively so that a topmost part of the arcuate cutout does not lieabove any page, and a user turns at least most of the intermediate pagesback and forth while the first and second pages are captured beneath theleg ends.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the topmost part of thearcuate cutout lies always at least about 2.5 centimeters above thesurface of the inclined plane.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein leg endsare separated by the arcuate cutout by at least 5 centimeters.